Road safety in the spotlight at the Vuelta a España

The 2017 Vuelta a España started last weekend with a thrilling team time trial in the city of Nîmes, France. Amidst the excitement over the start of the Vuelta, UCI WorldTeam Movistar Team launched an interactive new road safety initiative.

Called #RodamosJuntos, the campaign seeks to promote mutual respect between cyclists and drivers. The riders of the Movistar Team are very conscious of the risks faced by cyclists when out riding on the road and have lent their image to the campaign. A series of actions will take place during the three-week Vuelta, helping spread the importance of coexistence between bicycles and motor vehicles out on the road. During the Vuelta, the team will ride in jerseys featuring the #RodamosJuntos hashtag – which will also appear on team vehicles.

Eight videos, featuring team member Alejandro Valverde and former pro and Grand Tour winner Pedro Delgado, have been created to share useful advice about safe riding and driving with the public. A Facebook App has also been developed, where fans can join cyclists from the Movistar Team in personalising and signing a manifesto calling for respect amongst all road users.

The campaign will also be backed by other top athletes, including long distance runner Chema Martínez, triathlete Javier Gómez Noya, and the Movistar Yamaha MotoGP team.

#RodamosJuntos is supported by the Spanish Superior Sports Council (CSD), the Directorate General of Traffic (DGT), Radio Televisión Española (RTVE), La Vuelta a España and the Spanish Cycling Federation (RFEC).

The UCI welcomes this effort to promote safer and more accessible cycling for everyone, and encourages others to undertake similar initiatives. The high interest in UCI WorldTour races such as the Vuelta helps ensure that such campaigns receive wide exposure, but actions at all levels can also make a difference.